Brad Keselowski will be sidelined for the upcoming preseason exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium as he continues to recover from a broken leg sustained during a family ski trip on December 18. Following successful surgery, Keselowski, who is both a driver and owner at RFK Racing, will miss this event, which takes place two weeks before the 68th Daytona 500 scheduled for February 15.
In Keselowski’s absence, RFK Racing has named Corey Lajoie to drive the No. 6 Ford Mustang at Bowman Gray. Lajoie is a seasoned competitor with nearly 300 NASCAR Cup Series starts and experience in both the Cup and Truck Series, as well as work as a NASCAR analyst for Prime Video. Expressing his support, Lajoie shared on social media his wishes for Keselowski’s speedy recovery and eagerness to compete at the famed track known as “Madhouse.”
Lajoie also boasts a strong history at Bowman Gray, having won the 2012 ARCA East race there by leading 118 of 153 laps, beating out several top drivers he will face again this month, such as Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott. At 34 years old, Lajoie last took part in the Clash during the 2024 season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where he finished 17th behind the wheel for Spire Motorsports.
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Fan Take: This development is significant for NASCAR fans as it shakes up the lineup just ahead of a major event, giving Corey Lajoie a prime opportunity to shine on a storied short track. Keselowski’s absence reminds us how unpredictable the sport can be and underscores the depth of talent ready to step in and keep the competition fierce.
